Frank Luke

[Rickitycrate]

Dear Ovs,

I am rather glad you made your initial post now, grin. It made me question my perceptions and understandings about Lt. Luke and Wehner. I had referenced Hartney's book and account although I was loathe to depend on my memory of a book I read 20 years previous. I determined to locate my Hartney book and to check my facts. I was right with the exception of some facts. The bringing down of the 2 sausage's was predicted to the minute by Luke not only to Hartney but to General Billy Mitchell who was visiting the 27th Aerosquad at the time. The feat was accomplished to the minute to the astonishment of all. Being based 4 miles from the front the deed was plain to see in the early evening light and Mitchell was minding the time on his watch. My summary does not do justice of course. The book for reference is "Up And At 'Em" Harold E. Hartney Commander of the First Pursuit Squadron. In terms of baseball heroes makes one remember the occasion when Babe Ruth pointed to the outfield stands and indicated he was going to hit a home run and did. Cheers!

Edited May 28, 2009 by Rickitycrate

[OvS]

tttiger, you don't have to worry about tapping on badges... I take no pleasure in reminding anyone who I am. This is a privilege to me, and I really enjoy it. Also... did you notice that MK2 is the owner of the site? Nothing better than 'pickin' a fight' with the owner of the bar. That'll get you noticed.

 

MK2, OK, PM sent...

 

Rickety, what is a debate if there is no one to debate. It was an absolute pleasure! You guys countered everything I offered with solid facts and references! A beautiful discussion! Trust me, they'll be more of them. Thanks. :yes:

 

All the best,

 

OvS

[Ras]

I would like to point out that I appreciate the passion you guys have on the Frank Luke issue. No doubt, I am not a man of a big ego and certainly accept when I am either wrong or beat at a debate.

 

Perhaps my past perceptions of Luke are vastly off target, not having read anything solid, meaning anything dedicated to him and his life only, jaded my opinion of him. Probably NOT the best platform to stand on, but I did none-the-less.

 

No doubt, after reading as many posts that you all have read, I am wrong. So I'll head to the Library and pick up some of the books that have been mentioned and read them. It is sad that he only had a 2.5 week run at glory, but when you are reckless as Rickenbacker mentioned about him, that's the price you pay.

 

Thanks again fellas, this is more proof of to the calibur of people we have around us and in this community.

 

All the best,

 

OvS

 

PS... tttiger... being a moderator does not mean I can't enjoy the company of the people I so do respect and appreciate. Being wrong is part of life, and it make the conversations so much more deeper and detailed. I don't mind it, so neither should you.

 

 

Well said, SIr. Having started this thread, and very, very new to WW 1 sims and history, I have found the dialogue very interesting. And when it comes to "open minds" I want to commend those of you that continue to display that characteristic.

[JohnGresham]

The mythology that's grown up around Luke is certainly interesting. Probably partly driven by the USA's need to find heroes in a war that was entered relatively late, but it's also interesting that it seems to hark back to the mythology of the old west and the cowboy, the idea of individual action and the final 'gunfight'. Luke was in many ways an ideal figure to elevate to 'heroic' status for the USA. The flying equivelant of a cowboy. Figures like Francis Gillet have always interested me, but while their tally may exceed Luke's their histories lack the immediate sensationlism of Luke's expliots, so they're unlikely to ever get the same degree of recognition. What drove Luke to behave in the reckless manner that he did, strikes me as a much more interesting debate and topic for research than the apparent 'mystery' that surrounds his death.

[rabu]

This has got to be the finest bunch of forum members I have ever come across, just wanted to thank you all.

[capn rick]

Anybody read "The Balloon Buster"? I have an ancient paperback copy given to me by my uncle who was researching SPAD'S for his r/c hobby. Just read it a again a few month's ago (AFTER I got OFF and BEFORE the god rotting nvidia video card went u/s) I 'think' Quentin Reynolds wrote it post WW 1..

Luke's been one of my heroes ever since.

 

Capn rick

grounded till a new computer appears.